1. “Towards a Knowledge Society” April 7, 2006, Riga, Latvia 1 E-collaboration as a Way to Education and Society for Disabled Youth Jurijs Lavendels, Vjacheslav Shitikov Riga Technical University, Riga, Latvia

2. “Towards a Knowledge Society” April 7, 2006, Riga, Latvia 2 Introduction Programming documents of European Social Fund –one of potential social repudiation group Young people with special needs (disabilities) –special support for integration into the educational system and in turns for incorporation into society funded by Project „Information technology for the integration of the young people with special needs into education and society” (2005 - 2006)

3. “Towards a Knowledge Society” April 7, 2006, Riga, Latvia 3 Aims of investigation and development study the existing opportunities to gain the education develop the E-Environment that could facilitate learning

4. “Towards a Knowledge Society” April 7, 2006, Riga, Latvia 4 Existing forms of education full-time education in the overall educational institutions full-time education in the specialized educational institutions extramural teaching and distance learning –including inservice training

5. “Towards a Knowledge Society” April 7, 2006, Riga, Latvia 5 Conclusions on existing forms full-time education all in all fits extramural teaching often does not provide appropriate consultations and communication abilities –phone conversations –without ability to show graphical information proposed eLearning courses often are methodically incomplete and cannot provide required teaching quality

6. “Towards a Knowledge Society” April 7, 2006, Riga, Latvia 6 E-learning courses methodical weakness –often developed by highly qualified experts don’t have appropriate pedagogical experience –e-lectures are often too compressed describe only a small part of the necessary material –specific problems can be considered –systematic education (as at full time studies) can’t be provided feedback between the student and the lecturer

7. “Towards a Knowledge Society” April 7, 2006, Riga, Latvia 7 Required environment Teaching methodology Communication tools (further development) –next ESF projects

8. “Towards a Knowledge Society” April 7, 2006, Riga, Latvia 8 Environment for the inclusion provide the teaching at peoples’ their places of living “imitate” as much as possible face-to-face teaching corresponding training of teaching staff development and implementation of teaching materials

9. “Towards a Knowledge Society” April 7, 2006, Riga, Latvia 9 Specific target creation of e-environment that gives ability to accomplish part of educational materials outside classes –in the most convenient time quickness minimize unwanted movement keep the “the spirit of auditorium”

10. “Towards a Knowledge Society” April 7, 2006, Riga, Latvia 10 Requirements to the environment management system should provide tools for the teaching staff tools for delivery and “playing” the teaching materials tools for trainees

11. “Towards a Knowledge Society” April 7, 2006, Riga, Latvia 11 Tools for the teaching staff for the creation of learning materials in computerized form (video plus sound) for the deployment of learning materials in the e- environment to receive via e-environment questions, comments, homework and other materials from the students for “playing” the materials received from trainees for preparation of responds on them – answers, evaluation of fulfilled tasks

12. “Towards a Knowledge Society” April 7, 2006, Riga, Latvia 12 Tools for delivery and “playing” the teaching materials ability “to participate” in the lesson that is beforehand prepared, recorded and placed into the e-environment

13. “Towards a Knowledge Society” April 7, 2006, Riga, Latvia 13 Team created teaching staff of Riga Technical University –experts in Information Technology and education including distance e-learning teaching staff of government agency “Social Integration Center” –practical working experience and particular knowledge in the teaching of the young people with special needs representatives from “The Latvian Umbrella body for Disability organizations SUSTENTO” –best of all know needs of the young people with special needs and their disposition in the state

14. “Towards a Knowledge Society” April 7, 2006, Riga, Latvia 14 Foreseen consequences of e- environment ensure ability of lifelong education convenient and low-cost tool for inservice training courses also for other inhabitants –ability for trainees to study at their living places in the most appropriate time without loosing of “the spirit of auditorium” natural for full-time lessons

15. “Towards a Knowledge Society” April 7, 2006, Riga, Latvia 15 Thank you for attention!